children with fake knives/swords in parks

[the kabuki]

add my son to the list of sword/saber-toters in the parks... but he does so responsibly... i have nothing against kids that play w/weapons as long as they know they're playing... i recall two families that kept their kids weapon free... one used to nibble his chicken nuggets into the shape of a tiny gun and shoot his sister across the table whenever mom turned her back... the other (my nephew) was sheltered from any and all violence (tv, toys, cartoons, water squirters, etc) and he joined the marine corps and became a sharpshooter... go figure!

Yep, no matter what's there they always find a way to turn it into a weapon don't they??

Have to agree with some others' here, lighten up

 

[the kabuki]

Amen! I have two little boys who were sword fighting with their new light sabres at MGM last week. They didn't stab anyone except each other and of course, me! Personally, I find little boys sword fighting much more tolerable than little girls shrieking and crying in the parks each time they don't get their way.

Mom of one boy , two girls and those stinkin princess wands with their pokey stars at the top are way worse than some plastic light sabers.

 

[Bunch24]

add my son to the list of sword/saber-toters in the parks... but he does so responsibly... i have nothing against kids that play w/weapons as long as they know they're playing... i recall two families that kept their kids weapon free... one used to nibble his chicken nuggets into the shape of a tiny gun and shoot his sister across the table whenever mom turned her back... the other (my nephew) was sheltered from any and all violence (tv, toys, cartoons, water squirters, etc) and he joined the marine corps and became a sharpshooter... go figure!

Excellent point. I'm a firm believer that instead of trying to shelter kids away, teach them about things. My father taught me the dangers of guns at a very young age. He allowed me to play with toy guns, but he explained how real guns weren't toys. Now, I'm 31 years old and I don't own a single gun and don't hunt in a state where hunting is pretty much a way of life. But when I was a youngster, I shot many a bad guy and took on the nastiest of pirates, all in the safe haven of my imagination.

Every parent has their own way of dealing with violence, but IMHO sheltering them from it will not help. Eventually, they ARE going to run across violence of some sort.

Remember, it's the quiet/sheltered types that always become the serial killers.

Man, I just realized how off-topic my post is. LOL

OK, carry on.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I don't think we can square this on either sex. Kids like to wave things around and it's hard for them to resist the temptation.

I agree... mother of 2 girls, 1 boy here. Who do you think was the most abusive towards others with their light up swords from the circus??? Um... the youngest girl. LOL

And she's a girly girl who thinks she IS a princess... even reminding her that it wasn't princess behavior didn't stop her for long. LOL

 

[Schmeck]

With all the exposure to violence in video games, on tv, etc, I think kids are desensitized to it all. A kid once pointed a pop-gun at me in Wal-Mart. I went right up to him, and explained that I didn't appreciate having a gun pointed at me. I think it's horrible when kids 'pretend' to kill people. If a child attacked me with a toy sword at WDW, I'd be livid. I'd make a really big scene. The parents would be involved, as well as a CM or two.

So, for all you 'it's just kids being kids' parents, be warned - have them stay away from the 5'3" redhead at WDW this August. She doesn't like to be threatened with violence.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Are you kidding me?

If a child attacked me with a toy sword at WDW, I'd be livid. I'd make a really big scene. The parents would be involved, as well as a CM or two.

"Help me, help me, A three year old ATTACKED me with a plastic sword with a big wide flat curve at the top (no point mind you)" What, are you going to have the police come and file a report? Hire a lawyer and sue?

A kid once pointed a pop-gun at me in Wal-Mart. I went right up to him, and explained that I didn't appreciate having a gun pointed at me.

Perfectly within your rights, but I would also have the right to go right up to you and explain I don't appreciate strangers coming up to my kid in a store and telling him how to play.

So, for all you 'it's just kids being kids' parents, be warned - have them stay away from the 5'3" redhead at WDW this August. She doesn't like to be threatened with violence.

If you consider kids playing with POC plastic fake swords and fairy godmother plastic wands "violence", I don't think WDW is a good place for you. Snow White's Scary Adventures or Peter Pan's Flight might just put you over the edge. I'm not flaming, I'm just concerned for your well being, (as well as the well being of those around you) Sheesh.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Maybe we should just ban kids from the parks...

Actually, that would rock!! I think an all-adult day would be awesome!

-speaking as someone with no kids

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Meezers, no flames from me at all! Great post!

 

[blanq]

... i recall two families that kept their kids weapon free... one used to nibble his chicken nuggets into the shape of a tiny gun and shoot his sister across the table whenever mom turned her back.

Oh, I so had to laugh at this! My DS is now almost 12. When he was very little I felt strongly about no play weapons. He was very sheltered when it came to TV (Winnie the Pooh and Barney was about all I allowed him to watch) so he never witnessed any TV violence. I will never forget the day, when he was about three, and bit his PB&J sandwich into the shape of a gun and started shooting up the kitchen. I realized at that point, that I would never win this battle (pun intended!). I honestly do believe that some boys are wired with this stuff. Anyway, I allowed play weapons after that and he had so much fun in his own little pretend world of pirates and the like. He is now a very gentle, loving and non-violent child and I don't regret changing my mind on this issue. Now if he had ever stuck a sword into a man at Epcot, like to OP witnessed, I would have had a fit! That's simply a manners issue...not a weapons issue... in my book.

 

[Feralpeg]

As in many other threads, I don't think the problem is the toys or even the kids. It is irresponsible parents. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way of things now days. While most parents are responsible and make sure their children respect others, there are those that just don't seem to care.

 

[Schmeck]

Perfectly within your rights, but I would also have the right to go right up to you and explain I don't appreciate strangers coming up to my kid in a store and telling him how to play.

Pointing a gun in my face and making gun sounds is OK? When is the idea of killing people OK? I'd welcome the opportunity to talk to the parent of a kid who is allowed to make threatening gestures at people.

And no, I wouldn't sue, but I'd bet that the parent who would get upset about someone else reprimanding their precious child would...

Sorry that I have a problem with children allowed to play violent games. I guess Columbine High School means nothing to you?

Wait a minute, I'm actually not sorry...

 

[Metallicat]

To those who say "lighten up" or kids will be kids etc.. try telling that to the person who is injured. what if it were you, would you smile and say "aww thats ok, let him stab me again, its cute!" no, you would be furious too. last time I checked, adults have feelings and do not enjoy being injured by others. even little kids can hurt someone and not everybody enjoys walking in a sea of people elbow to elbow, worrying about the kid next to them poking their eye out.
My rant was about kids carrying plastic knives/swords. not about dropping ice cream or sneezing on someone or the annoyance of cell phones. thats not the topic. its the danger of INJURING someone to the point of someone having to stop and sit down in pain because of little Billy having fun with his sword. last time I checked, the way you play with those things is sword fighting or stabbing. most kids are not content by just holding them and looking at the sword. they WANT to wave them around and in crowds, its dangerous.
To those who say that they watch their kids and make sure they play with them in a resonsible manner.. Suuure you do. then how can you walk in a straight line when you are watching the tip of that sword all day long? face it, its impossible. how can you look around and enjoy yourself when you are staring at the end of a plastic sword all day long? what if your child were burned by someones ciggarette in a crowd of people while walking down main street? smile and say, "oh, lighten up, adults will be adults" I think not!
And BTW, if I am ever stabbed/jabbed by one of these things I will grab it and break it in half and if some dumb parent says anything mean in return, I will find security and do whatever I can to get them in trouble. thats all!

 

[Metallicat]

Pointing a gun in my face and making gun sounds is OK? When is the idea of killing people OK? I'd welcome the opportunity to talk to the parent of a kid who is allowed to make threatening gestures at people.

And no, I wouldn't sue, but I'd bet that the parent who would get upset about someone else reprimanding their precious child would...

Sorry that I have a problem with children allowed to play violent games. I guess Columbine High School means nothing to you?

Wait a minute, I'm actually not sorry...

I totally agree. I would never reprimand a child, but give the parents a piece of my mind. but unfortunatly at WDW, not everybody understand english.

 

[Feralpeg]

I totally agree. I would never reprimand a child, but give the parents a piece of my mind. but unfortunatly at WDW, not everybody understand english.

And, I've noticed that many who were speaking English, suddenly don't understand when confronted in any way.

 

[eblondie]

Maybe we should just ban kids from the parks...

Now what a good idea!

 

[Metallicat]

That is so true! some are so wrapped up in their own having fun that they don't pay much attention to anything else going on around them.

I just want to ad that I don't hate kids. I have a child myself whom I raised to be 23 yrs old now and when she was little, I would never allowed her to carry around something in the parks that might hurt someone even if it were an accident, much less allow her to run wild stabbing people on purpose.

not all kids are bad though. after returning from a 11 day trip to WDW, I did have 2 kids say excuse me when they bumped into me. at least there are 2 out there that are being raised right.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Pointing a gun in my face and making gun sounds is OK? When is the idea of killing people OK? I'd welcome the opportunity to talk to the parent of a kid who is allowed to make threatening gestures at people.

And no, I wouldn't sue, but I'd bet that the parent who would get upset about someone else reprimanding their precious child would...

Sorry that I have a problem with children allowed to play violent games. I guess Columbine High School means nothing to you?

If my child went up to you and put a toy gun in your face I would reprimand him, because it's not a polite thing to do to strangers. I don't think that action is in anyway a threatening gesture. It's my job to raise my child with the believe system that my wife and I agree with, but if you politely ask my child not to do that, there won't be a problem. If you try to teach my child your beliefs, or yell or threaten my child, then I would remove my child from the situation and explain that sometimes even adults can be wrong, but he should still be respectful.

As far as Columbine goes, these kids didn't shoot up the school because of playing pirates when they were kids. They had issues in their lives that I'm guessing included, since the one kid was making bombs in his own house, they weren't getting that much attention at home.

 

[Metallicat]

Now what a good idea!

Hmm, I've often thought a truency officer in the parks during the school year would be a good idea.... just kidding! (or am I?)

 

[gigi1313]

Whether boy or girl...wand or sword....any child who attacks me is going to find their weapon of choice taken from them and broken into two pieces.

so, when you step on my toe in line, i have the right to break your toe in two pieces as well?

how 'bout those armed w/those lethal strollers? maybe when they bump you you can kick them back?

i agree that children should not be injuring strangers, especially intentionally... but i don't agree that children and/or their toys should be banned from the parks...

 

[faeflora]

Wow, I read this entire thread and I have to say I am amazed. My husband and I have no children, but I am the aunt to three and the great-aunt to two more all girls and all love to play and have fun. I was a Montessori pre-primary teacher for three years.
Now, that said here is what I feel about the idea of swords, guns, or princess wands.

1. WDW is a place for kids to be kids. I agree children should be allowed to play and have fun. Most definitely, however, if a childs play injurs another child or adult than that play needs to stop. No child should be allowed to stab or hit a complete stranger with any item, be it sword, gun, or princess wand. It's just rude. That being said sometimes accidents happen, an unintentional hit occurs. I would expect that the child say to "sorry" and I would expect the parent or parents of the child to educate the child on why it is not ok to hit a perfect stranger.

2. Children need boundaries. As a child I know my parent set very good boundaries. They took me to WDW many times and they loved to see me skip through the park and to play but if my play in any way negatively effected another individual my parents would take the lead and explain to me what needed to be changed. We take the same path with our beautiful nieces.
One of our lovely nieces decided that it was perfectly ok to throw a ball at her loving uncles head as he was resting on the couch. The ball was immediately taken away and the young niece learned that throwing the ball in that manner would not be tolerated. Boundaries are important.


3. On a side note, some of the posts seem to indicate that getting hit with a plastic sword or knife is not going to cause any really injury. As a person who bruises easily due to a disability I have to say that this thinking is flawed. I can get "injured" by a seatbelt fitting to tightly or by scraping against a door frame. I would definitely get "injured" if a random child was to run up to me and stab me. I also feel that the idea of "oh it won't hurt someone" as an excuse to allow a child to stab or hit a stranger is also flawed.

So, if you feel the need to flame please be my guest.